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November 10, 2000

University Budget Request Slated for Approval

November 10, 2000 NR 25-2000

The University of Alaska's FY02 budget request is scheduled for approval by the Board of Regents when it meets Thursday and Friday, Nov. 16-17, in Fairbanks.

The full board will convene at 8:30 a. m. Thursday for a report from University President Mark R. Hamilton. From 10 a. m. until noon, the board is scheduled to hear public testimony. Committees of the board will meet Thursday afternoon and on Friday until 3 p. m. when the full board will re-convene. The meeting is scheduled for adjournment by 5 p. m. on Friday. The meetings will be held in the Butrovich Building on the UAF campus in Fairbanks.

On Wednesday evening, Nov. 15, beginning at 6:30 p. m. there will be a reception at the Gold Room of the Westmark Fairbanks Hotel in honor of Regent Mary Jane Fate, who has served on the board since 1993 when she was appointed by Gov. Walter J. Hickel. Her term expires in February 2001.

Agenda items are listed here by committee of origin:

Academic & Student Affairs

Receive a report on vocational educational programs and UA Corporate Programs from Wendy Redman, vice president for university relations, and Joyce Helens, director of Corporate Programs.

Receive a report on the Alaska Renaissance Project, a program sponsored by the UAF Honors Program.

Receive a presentation by Dr. Mike Sfraga, director of the statewide office of program development, on UA's electronic student services available on the World Wide Web. Saichi Oba, statewide manager of Electronic Student Services, and Ann Tremarello, UAF Registrar, will provide a project overview and demonstration to include on-line access to unofficial transcripts, semester grade reports and fee payment records.

Hear from representatives of the three main regional campuses on the current status of studies of the impact of academic programs on students and graduates, and ways to improve the educational effectiveness of university programs.

Consider approval of the UAA allocation of FY01 capital appropriation for facility renewal, and approval of related capital projects: Science Building research lab renovation ($526,184); McDonald Building renovation ($764,500); Engineering Building renovation ($90,000); College of Arts & Science IT renovation ($643,000) and Sports/Physical Education Facility roof repairs and renovation ($176,316).

Consider approval of schematic design for the UAF Rasmuson Library renewal project, and authorization to proceed with bid and award contracts not to exceed a total project cost of $18.6 million.

Consider approval of schematic design for UAF's Brooks Building renewal project, and authorization to proceed with bid and award contracts not to exceed a total cost of $5.6 million.

Consider approval of schematic design for the UAF Physical Plant phase I project, and authorization to bid and award contracts not to exceed a total project cost of $3.7 million.

Consider approval of schematic design for UAA's Library addition and renovation project, and authorization to proceed with bid and award contracts not to exceed a total project cost of $34.7 million.

Review the master plan for UAF's Poker Flat Research Range, and look at a plan for land acquisitions in the vicinity of the Range. This is an information item; no action is required at this meeting.

Receive presentations on the university's annual financial statement, the status of university construction projects in progress, the Lena Point fisheries facility and the UAF coal-water fuel project. These are information items; no action is required at this meeting.

Human Resources

Consider approval of temporary re-employment for a participant in the Retirement Incentive Program in FY99.

Audit

Briefing on implementation of accounting and reporting processes required by new federal regulations, which go into effect for FY02.

Receive reports on the FY2000 external audit, review recently completed audits, review the current audit status report and review committee reporting and audit ratings. These are information items; no action is required.

Committee of the Whole

Consider approval of the budget for distribution of the Natural Resources Fund spending allowance. The proposed budget includes a provision of $298,957 to support land management operating costs, and $2.8 million for support of university programs including the UA Scholars Program and natural resources-type projects and activities.

Consider approval of tuition rate inflation adjustments for the academic year 2002. The rates will become effective for the fall 2001 semester. Lower division tuition rates will be increased by $2 per credit hour. Upper division rates will increase by $3; graduate tuition by $6 and the non-resident surcharge will go up $5.

Review possible revisions to the tuition and student fees policy. This is an information item; no action is required at this meeting.

Receive the annual report of the UAF College of Rural Alaska from Dr. Ralph Gabrielli, dean of the College of Rural Alaska, and members of the college's advisory council.

Receive an update on federal initiatives and legislation affecting the university from Martha Stewart, director of federal relations.

All meetings of the Board of Regents and its committees, except for executive sessions, are open to the public. During the meeting messages can be left at the Board of Regents' office, 907-474-7908, or fax 907-474-6342. Reporters may reach Bob Miller by calling 907-474-6311.